Hydraulic remote control



. man?? Mm., 2, KMU. w. s'rELzER HYDRAULIC REMOTE CONTROL 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 4, 1937 l. lills6 f@l n IN1/E ToR. I

H41, w, STELZER l2,185,277

HYDRAULIC REIOTE CONTROL Filed Jan. 4, 193'? 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 2, H940.. w. s'rELzER 2,185,277

HYDRAULIC REMOTE CONTROL I Filed Jan. 4.Y 193'? 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 TAU 4A,

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Patented Jan. 2, 1940 UNITED STATES vIAATENT OFFICE HYDRAULIC REMOTE CONTROL William Stelzer, German Township, St. Joseph County, Ind., assignor to Bendix Aviation Cor-v poration, South Bend, Ind., a. corporation of Delaware Application January 4, 1937, Serial'No. 118,978

9 Claims.

mote hydraulic` transmission of motion where ith an element has to be held in a certain position, at the present is subjected to the expansion of the operating huid due to heat changes, aswell as to the leakages of the master and the transmission lines.

It is the object of the invention to minimize the change of position of the actuated element by providing a hydraulic lock, i. e., by locking the fluid in the actuated element so that the latter maintains the same position, and by providing a free passage in the master to allow for expansion of the huid.

Another object is to provide a hydraulic control system where a plurality of master cylinders may be used without affecting the accuracy ci position of the actuated element.

A further object is to provide a construction that operates in any position and is not subjected to the admission of air, as required in aircraft that may i-ly in different positions or upsidedown. Y

A still further object is to provide synchronizing means so that the position of the master cylinder, or master cylinder lever, will indicate the exact position of the actuated element.

'These features, among others, are obtained by the construction illustrated in the drawings, wherein: v

Fig. l is a diagram showing the master cylinder and actuated element in section, applied to a one-line system;

Fig. 2, a diagram of the improved hydraulic control where a two-line system is used;

Fig. 3, a detail sectional View of a master cylinder and actuated element or motor, providing a hermetically sealed system, where only a single transmission line is used;

Fig. 4, a detail sectional View of a-dsc spring used in the construction shown in Fig; 3;

Fig. 5, a diagram showing the single line system applied to a brake.

Fig. 6, an enlarged sectional view `of the construction and diaphragm, shown with the valve open; and y Fig. '7, an enlarged sectional view of the locking valve shown in Fig. 5,' illustrated in a position assumed when the release button l55 is manually depressed.

Fig; ,8 is an `enlarged detail view of part of Figure 1.` t l Describing now Fig.'lthere is shown a prime mover I, usually called master cylinder, and being equivalent to a.purnp,-contro1ling the actuy ated element 2, usually called actuator (because it actuates a throttle or the like) or motor. Said master l consists of a cylinder 3 in which slides a piston 4i sealed by cups 5 held against said piston by means of conical-coil springs G pressing against discs land the heads 8 and 3 of piston rod l@ extending through said piston and being provided with clearance on its diameter as well `as endwise, so.that, as said springs 6 4tend to center said piston rod,` a passage is created from chamber il to reservoir l2. Said piston is actuated by means of a hand lever i3 turning a crank lever ill pivotally connected with the piston rod it by means of a link i5.

A uid line it connects said master cylinder with the motor 3 consisting of the cylinder Il in which slides a piston it provided with seals i3, i3 and a piston rod 2@ having a rod end 2l connected to the throttle lever 23 by means of a link 23 to operate a throttle 2i shown diagrammatically. Said piston i3 is normally held in the o position by means of a helical spring iii seated on the cap 26 (in which the piston rod slides through a hole large enough to permit the breathing of air while the piston reciprocates) Aand acting against va cup 2l seated on the seal The line i6 leads into a chamber 28 sealed i9. by a diaphragm 23 held down by a plate 3l) having a hole in its center through which passes a solenoid plunger 3l working in a solenoid 32 and lightly pressed against said diaphragm by a helical spring 33. The head 3ft of said plunger is of a non-magnetic material and a core 35 of soft iron is provided so that when the solenoid is energized, the plunger 3l is drawn out of the coil towards the diaphragm in its tendency to close the magnetic circuit through plate 30 and outer case 36. A check valve 3l controls the passage between chamber 28 and cylinder chamber 38 andis ordinarily seated by the force of a conical coil spring 39 resting against a disc or ring 4B pressed into the housing in the fashion ofI a Welch plug and having a hole to permit passage 'when the throttle is in the off position, and a circuit breaker 45 held closed when the master is in off position, connected by a line 46. Said circuit breaker 45 is grounded at one end, while the other is insulated from the housing as shown. A valve 41 controlling passage between Il and I2 is held open when the master is in o position, whereby iluid may ow through line 43. When the master cylinder is not in oil position valve 41 seats by virtue of the conical coil .spring 49 which isstii! enough that it is not overcome due to suction in chamber II. Suction, however, will operate diaphragm 29, which, on one side is provided with a thin layer of felt 50 to allow atmospheric pressure to said diaphragmy in order to i crack valve 31 acting through discs 5I and 52. 'I'he atmospheric pressure acting on diaphragm 29 is transmited to said discs 5I and 52, which serve as piston plates. In order that the check valve 31 may be opened by the solenoid plunger' 3| without overpowering the entire diaphragm, the inner disc 52 must be constructed so that it may be moved to crack the valve without disturb ing disc 5I, but when the latter is moved towards the valve, the discs must travel in unison. Disc 5| is shown in section, whereas 52 is shown in full. Disc 5I has a hole to receive disc 52 loose- 1y, which is recessed so that atmospheric pressure on the diaphragm is transmitted through disc 5I to disc 52, and from there to valve 31, to open it. But the tendency of disc 5I to return is not transmitted to disc 52. In order that said discs stay in their proper places, it is well to vulcanize them at one point to the diaphragm. Disc 5I may be vulcanized to the diaphragm on its entire surface, and it may be considered as a part oi' said diaphragm, disc 52 may be vulcanized to said diaphragm merely in the center, allowing movement relative to 5I, so that little resistance ,is oil'ered to the operation of the solenoid. -The valve housing is provided with stops 53 so that the center disc does not shut oil' the passage from 33 to 28 when a suction is created in chamber 23.

In operation, considering the system filled with iluid, including reservoir I2, which is partly filled '(the air in said reservoir being able to breathe through the cover flange or some breatherbeing provided) now by applying lever I3 piston rod I is depressed, thereby seating at 9 against the piston, at the same time valve 41 closes. As 3 seats and the piston. is depressed, a pressure is created in chamber II and the fluid is displaced, iiowing into chamber 23, and from there into chamber 38 by lifting valve 31, there piston I8 is moved, overcoming spring 25. As soon as descenslon of piston 4l ceases, and consequently the pressure in chambers Ii and 28 decreases, check valve 31 closes and the fluid in 38 is locked under pressure created by spring 25. The throttle is held open in a certain position. As the hand of the operator is removed from handle I3, the piston rod is centered again by springs 6, so that a passage is open from chamber II to the reservoir. Fluidexpansion can no'w take place without moving the throttle. As the operator returns lever I3 towards the oil position (which is the position shown on the drawings) piston rod III is again seated on piston 4, this time by means of the head 8. As the piston rises. as suction is created in chambers II and 28, so that the atmospheric pressure deiiects diaphragm 29, cracking valve 31. The fluid in 33 is now allowed to escape, but only while the master cylinder is moved towards the "off" position and a suction is maintained. As the master cylinderV reaches the oil position, valve 41'is opened, valve 31 closes, and piston 4 is centered again, leaving (45 being closed also) whereby the plunger presses against the diaphragm and through disc 52 opens valve 31, whereby the uid in 33 may escape and the piston return to the "oil" position, whence both master cylinder and motor are synchronized. As the described action takes place while the master cylinder is still returning, i. e. as soon as circuit breaker 45 closes the circuit, the solenoid does not actually have to crack valve 31. but merely need to hold it open.

This is the reason why I have made discs I and 52 in two pieces. Now suppose the motor is in the oiP position, but the master cylinder is not. 'I'he master cylinder is returned creating a vacuum (it being a small exertion) in the "oil position valve 41 opens and uid is drawn into chamber II from the reservoir. Thus the solenoid is used only very rarely, and is normally de-energized. In marine use. where the master cylinder is somewhere up on the bridge, and the motor down in the engineroom, a head is created, which must be compensated by spring 33. Thus this spring may be made adjustable.

In Fig. 2 the construction is modified inasmuch as the locking valve, instead of by atmospheric pressure, is operated by pressure created .20 an electric circuit is created through the solenoid in the master cylinder. For this reason two lines are necessary. f

'Ihe whole system, in principle is still the same, consisting oi' a master cylinder or pump, and actuator or motor. Instead of the piston type pump as shown in Fig. 1 I illustrate a vane type pump in Fig. 2. or it may be a plurality of pumps, designated by 54 and 54', 54 is shown in section and the other one in front elevation. The actuator or motor 55 consists of cylindrical chambers 58 and 51 in which slide pistons 58 and 459 held against the end of a forked lever 80 by a tension spring 8| hooked to pins 82 extending through said pistons. A sleeve 83 fits into countersinks in said pistons to serve as a guide. Enough play is permitted endwise so that contact of the pistons against the end of lever 6I! is always insured. The pistons are sealed with cups 8d,

which are of a well known construction. 'I'he lever 60 is 'keyed to a shaft 65 to which a lever 66 is secured, which, by means oi' a rod 61, transmits the motion to 4the element to be controlled.

- ing wheel having a knob |0I.

between the central housing and the valve housing l2 by bolts, not shown. A chamber 'I3 is adapted to receive a slidable piston 14 stopping against a plug l5, on which side a chamber is formed. .Passages Il and 18 lead from chamber 'i3 to chamber 16 onthe opposite side. .Lines 719, 80, and 3| complete the circuit. The pumps t may be of any conventional type, but must have provision for fluid expansion and by-pass. I provide a reservoir 82 and a tapered hole 83 into the pump chamber.

As in some applications it is necessary to use power for the operation of the actuator, as for instance in large. boats for rudder control, I provide a power unit consisting of a power driven pump Bill, 85 representing an electric motor, a valve 39 and a number of standard shut-oil? valves 0l, 90, 89, 909|, and 92. Valve 86 is bored out to receive a plunger 93 held in a center position as shown, by means of springs 94. In this position there is a constant circulation of fluid from pump 90 through saidv valve and back to the pump. In order to indicate the position of the motor, a hydraulic indicating device is used consisting of a diaphragm cylinder 95 op;

erated by a rod 96 connected with lever BS of the motor. A small tube 91 leads to indicators 98, 99 built substantially like a conventional barometer, but graduated to show the position of the motor.

Considering first manual operation, when valves 39 and 90 are open and Bl, 80, 9|, and 92 are closed, pump 5d or 5B' is operated by a turn- A pressure is then produced on one side, depending in which direction the pump is turned. This pressure is transmitted to chamber i3 on one side, where.

it lifts valve t9, and to chamber V6 on the other, where it moves piston lid which opens valve 69 on that side. As soon as the pump is stopped, and the pressure consequently has dropped springs 'l0 seat the valves t9 again and the pistons are locked. Turning the pump in the opposite direction, merely changes the direction of action in the motor. It is obvious that any number of pumps or master cylinders may be used, but they must be constructed to be able to transmit the pressure in series, as is illustrated by the vane pump 50, where the orifice 03 is located on dead center so that no pressure is lost. Supposing that pump 5d is operated in such a manner that pressure is produced in line 3|, whereby fluid is fed to pump lift; the latter thereby becomes a motor running idle, allowingthe pressure and fluid to be transmitted to line 90. Since the top of the rotor; where it comes into sliding contact with the housing, seals off the passage to the reservoir (except for a very slow leakage), no pressure is lost. Yet the leakage is sufficient to-allow passage of fluid into the reservoir due to expansion caused by heat. Furthermore vthe reservoir is hermetically sealed sov that a pressure may build up in said reservoir. Or the whole system may be put initially under pressure.

Putting now the power unit in operation, valves 99 and 90 are closed, 3l, 39, 9|, and 92 are opened.

Pump 90 provides a continuous flow in the direc- .again and the motor locks.

Describing now Fig. 3. the construction shown in Fig. 1 is somewhat modled to provide a' hermetically sealed and cheap unit, but where both master cylinder and motor are synchronized. 'I'he fluid in this system is under initial pressure, as will be described more clearly later. A master cylinder or pump |02 is connected to an actuator or motor |03 by a single line |04. Both units may be suitably mounted according to their use. The master cylinder |02 in its main body has a. sliding piston engaged by a forked hand lever |1| pivoted at |05 ina cover |06. One extremity of the piston has a plate |01 held against a diaphragm |00 by a helical coil spring |09. Said diaphragm |08 is clamped between the main body and a sandwich plate ||0, to which an elastic reservoir cover forming a reservoir H2, and a dust cover ||3, are

secured. Said sandwich plate has a valve seat Hd on which fits a needle valve ||5 inthe o1" position held open by a spring i i6 seated against a disc having a central hole through which the stem of said valve ||5 may slide. The latter is provided with a collar. so that in the off position, as shown, the valve is unseated by spring H6, overcoming the coll spring ||8 which serves to seat the valve when the master cylinder has left the off position, and ordinarily holds the colla'r 'of said valve against the disc.

|||. A bleed screw` ||9 is provided in the usual manner, for the sake of simplicity only one has been shown, stopping inv its tightened position passage between chamber and reservoir ||2, but in actual construction-it is easier to provide two separate bleed screws.

The motor |03 has a sliding piston rod |2| engaged by a forked lever |22 pivoted at |23 and having anarm extension |23 to which the' a diaphr'agm |35 clamped down securely by a cover plate |36 which yhas a recess to receive a disc |32 and a disc spring |39, more clearly shown in Fig. 4 in its relieved position. The

inner face of said diaphragm |35 is provided with a disc which acts as piston platev for said diaphragm. The line HM leads to chamber i3d, thereby providing communication between chamber |20 in the master cylinder and chamber |33' in the motor.

Both master cylinderl and motor are shown in the od position. Suppose the operator applies the hand lever and depresses diaphragm |08,

valve l|5 closes as spring ll is compressed and I coil spring M0 seats said valve. The fluid displaced ilows then through line it into chamber |39. As the pressure is greater than in chamber |29, the check valve or locking valve |30 opens and piston |29 begins to move.' As soon as the master cylinder is not operated any further, the pressure in chambers |20 and i3d drops and the check valve |30 closes, whereby the nuid in chamber |29 is arrested and the motor hydraulically locked. When the operator moves lever |1| towards the 0E position, he overcomes spring |09 and the pressure in chambers |20 and |34 drops to approximately atmospheric pressure. Now as the disc spring |38 tends to assume a shape similar to that shown in Fig. 4, and is ordinarily pressed ilat by the pressure in chamber |34, it detlects, pressing disc |31 against diaphragm |35 when the pressure in chamber |34 has dropped to a certain point. In so doing the diaphragm is depressed, opening the locking valve |30, thereby tle. iuid in chamber |29 is allowed to escape so that the motor returns towards the off position at the same rate as the mastercylinder.

The master cylinder and motor are automatically synchronized every time the master is moved in the 0E position.

Assuming the two to be out of synchrony where the master cylinder reaches the off" position rst; then valve ||5 is opened, chambers and |34 are under atmospheric pressure so that spring |30 opens valve |30. Piston |25 then returns into the o position, displacing the uid into reservoir 2.' Both are in step again. Supposing now that the motor |03 reaches the off position first; then by returning the master cylinder towards the off position, a suction is created in chamber |20 (as well as in the motor which is of no consequence) so that the atmospheric pressure in the reservoir opens valve ||5, so that fluid flows from said reservoir to |20. As the master has reached the off position, the two units are in synchrony again.

It is possible to make the disc spring |38 with a zero rate, to give it a uniform action, the characteristics of disc springs are well known, and therefore need not be described. It is preferable to place it in such a way that the central part presses against the diaphragm, and disc |31 is preferably made of anelastic material so that the diaphragm |35 is depressed mostly in the center, thus prolonging its life. It is also desirable to havevery little clearance between the stem of valve |30 and disc |39, to prevent lost motion.

I will now describe Fig. 5, where the novel locking valve is applied to a brake or clutch.

The main body of the master cylinder or pump is designated by |40. A diaphragm |4| i's clamped securely by a cover or head |42 by means of screws, not shown. Said diaphragm rests against a piston plate |43 to which a piston rod |44 is riveted sliding in a bearing in said housing vand being engaged by a cam lever |45 pivoted at |46 in a cover |41. A spring |48 holds said lever engaged, while another spring |49 keeps the piston in contact with the diaphragm |4|. A pipe line |50 leads to the body |5| of the locking un'it having a chamber |52 sealed ofi by a diaphragm |53 clamped down securely by a cover |54 having a recess to rei ceive the disc |31 and disc spring |33, already vto a wheel cylinder |58 having diaphragms |59 engaging pistons |60 whose piston rods" |6| are guided in the covers |62 and engage the brake shoes |63 held in the off position by a sti spring |64 against stopsv or locating pins |65 in the usual manner to clear the brake drum |66 when in the o position. Line |61 leadsV to another brake unit substantially the same as already shown (and is therefore not repeated again) while line |68 leads to another master cylinder substantially the same as that-already shown,'and is therefore broken off in order not to encumber the drawing.

The system is shown in Ithe off position. Springs |46 and |49 are very Weak Vand merely serve to hold lever |45 and piston |43 in contact with diaphragm. Spring |49 may be obviated or is subordinate to disc spring |38, i. e. when spring |40 is manually overcome spring |49 cannot maintain suicient pressure to keep valve |30 closed. In operation, when the master cylinder or pump is applied by means of lever |45, and diaphragm |4| is depressed, a pressure is created in chamber |69 which is transmitted to chamber |52, where valve |30 is lifted due to the higher pressure in chamber |52 compared with that in passage |56. Thus uid flows into the wheel cylinder or motor |58, applying the brake shoes, and overcoming spring |64. As the hand is removed from lever |45 the pressure in chambers |69 and |52 drops to. the initial pressure created by spring |40 which is enough to overcome spring |38 so that the locking valve |30 is seated and the brakes are locked. I mentione'd herein before that lines |51 and |61 are preferably of a slightly elastic material, as for instance reinforced rubber tubing, so that the brakes are kept on even though the fluid contracts due to temperature changes.

The brake can be released in two ways: Either by pressing push button |55, or by returning lever |45 towards the oii`" position. While the latter operation is performed, spring |48 is overcome; and the pressure in chamber |69 drops to almost atmospheric, whence spring |38 depresses diaphragm |53 and thereby opens the locking valve |30, The iiuid from the motor is then returned due to the force of spring |64, so that the shoes become disengaged.

If instead of manually returning hand lever 45 the push button is depressed, then the iiuid returning from the motor through the open valve |30 is displaced into chamber |69, returning the master to the 1oif position.

I do not wish to be limited in the application of my invention to the embodiments shown, which merely illustrate a few applications, nor to the particular types of master cylinder and motor, as there are a number of master cylinders and motors known, and must be selected according to the. purpose. 'I'hus for certain throttle controls, where a tachometer is used beside the master cylinder, any type of pump may be used. It may be a gear pump, or vane or piston type pump, or even a centrifugal pump. But for use in aircraft, special, although various constructions must be used, while in larger units it becomes necessary to use a source of power other than manual, such as in hoists, hydraulic elevators, hydraulic jacks, marine steering4 etc.

In Fig. 5 the invention is carried out for a yhand brake, but the same construction may be used for other brakes as well as clutches. Furthermore all systems may be carried out either with piston type cylinders or diaphragms or Sylphons. For diaphragms I preferably use the reinforced type with nadial threads so that in action, the system is solid.

Since it is desirable to operate the system under pressure to eliminate the infiltration of air the constructions shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 5 areas?? are especially preferable. The construction shown in Fig. 5, as well as all the others, eliminate the necessity of ratchets, which are in use in present day hydraulic remote control.

The terms, pump, prime mover, and master cylinder used herein, denote all one thing, as already described, whereas the terms motor or actuator, or wheel-cylinder, are applied to the driven or secondary element which in turn operates or controls some third element, such as a throttle, a brake, or a control surface.

I am aware that prior to my invention hydraulic controls have been made, I therefore do not claim such a combination broadly; but,

i I claim:

1. In a hydraulic system, a master cylinder, a motor, a hydraulic line between said master cylinder and said motor, means to operate said master cylinder, a check valve between said master cylinder and said motor to allow fluid to pass from said master to said motor upon the pressure producing movement of said master cylinder, but not vice versa, resilient means to return the motor to the ou position, and means responsive to the suction created by said master cylinder upon its retractile movement to open said check valve to allow said motor to return to the off position.

2. In a hydraulic transmission, a master cylinder, a motor, a single hydraulic line from said master cylinder to said motor, to transmit fluidv to and fro, said master cylinder being adapted to produce pressure and suction according to manual manipulation thereof, a check valve permitting iiow of iiuid from the master cylinder to the motor and preventing return flow from the motor, and means responsive to a certain pressure reduction from the master cylinder upon its retractile movement to open said check valve to'allow flow of fluid from said motor to said master cylinder and thereby return towards the oii" position, substantially as described.

3. In a hydraulic transmission, a master cylinder, a motor, a single fluid line connecting said master cylinder with said motor, a reservoir, means to provide communication between said reservoir and said master cylinder when the latter is in the off position, means to manually operate said master cylinder to produce variable pressure, resilient means yieldingly urging to return the motor to its oil position, thereby tending to return fluid to the master cylinder,

`a check valve permitting iiow of fluid from the master cylinder to the motor and preventing return flow from the motor, and means responsive to a certain pressure reduction caused by said master cylinder upon its retractile movement to open said check valve to allow flow of fluid from said motor to said master cylinder and thereby permit return towards the o position.

4. In a hydraulic transmission, a master cylinder, a motor, a single iluid transmission line CQrmecting said `)master cylinder with said motor.

l a check valve permitting flow of fluid from the master cylinder to the motor and preventing return ow from the motor, a reservoir, means to provide communication between said reservoir and said master cylinder when the latter is in oiP' position, means to operate said master cylinder to produce Vvariable pressure,` resilient means tending to return the motor to its ofi position, thereby tending to return uid to said master cylinder, means using the pressure of the atmosphere to open said check valve when a certain pressure reduction is produced in the master cylinder upon its retractile movement, to allow flow of uid from said motor to said master cylinder and thereby permit return to- Wards the o position, and means to synchronize said master cylinder and motor when said master cylinder is returned to its off position. 5. The construction as claimed in claim 4, where said reservoir is of the elastic diaphragm type, to hermetically seal the operating uid.

6. The construction as claimed in claim 4, and resilient means acting on the master cylinder to put the fluid therein under an initial pressure above atmospheric, means yieldingly tending to open said check valve to balance said initial pressure, whereby said check valve will open when the pressure in the transmission line is reduced to near atmospheric.

7. In a hydraulic transmission,` a master cyl- `inder, a motor, means to transmit uid from said master cylinder to said motor to operate said motor, a check valve in said line between the master cylinder andmotor, said check valve permitting ilow from said master cylinder to said motor upon the pressure movement of the master cylinder and preventing flow from the motor to the master cylinder when the pressure movement has ceased, and means responsive tothe decrease in pressure produced by said master cylinder to open said check valve for the purpose of returning said motor to its original position.

8. The constructionas claimed in claim 1, and means to manually open said check valve.

9. The construction as claimed in claim 4, Where said reservoir is of elastic material and hermetically sealed against the atmosphere, and where the master cylinder and motor are of the diaphragm type to prevent leakage, to provide a sealed hydraulic system into which no air can enter in any position.

WILLIAM S'I'EIZER. 

